Charles' introduction to environment was though birds, where countless hours of observation illustrated how inextricably linked organisms, including humans, are with their environment. After studying English and biology, he became an environmental biologist, and after graduate study at the University of Minnesota, came west to Seattle. He works as a Public Health Advisor with UW Environmental Health & Safety, teaches ENVH 441 Food Protection winter quarter and guest lectures in several other courses, specializing in food protection, pests and vectors with their potential to spread diseases to humans, and water, swimming pool sanitation and other environmental biological problem areas. His research in restroom inequity led to Seattle and Washington changing their plumbing codes to expand women's restroom facilities and and reduce women's waiting time.